Wheel end assembly for four wheel steer vehicle

Details Wheel end assembly for four wheel steer vehicle Wheel end assembly for four wheel steer vehicle

2000-02-07

2001-01-30

Culbreth, Eric (Department: 3611)

Land vehicles

Wheeled

Running gear

C180S252000, C180S257000, C180S258000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06179308

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a wheel end assembly for a four wheel steer motor vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Four wheel steer allows all four wheels of a motor vehicle to contribute to the steerability of the vehicle. At low speeds, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction of the front wheels to improve maneuverability by minimizing the turn radius. At higher speeds, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels to increase vehicle stability. Both situations provide particular advantages for long wheelbase vehicles such as full-size trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles which could benefit from improved maneuverability and stability.
To accomplish four wheel steer, the vehicle wheel track width may increase to accommodate additional steering components such as knuckles, yokes, and ball joints. Extending the wheel track width increases the overall mass of the vehicle. A further consideration for large vehicles is Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 which requires two clearance lights on vehicles over 80 inches wide. Therefore it is desirable to manage the additional lateral packaging space required to accommodate four wheel steer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a wheel end assembly which minimizes the additional lateral packaging space required to accommodate four wheel steer in a motor vehicle. In particular, the wheel end assembly includes a constant velocity joint drivingly interconnected with both an axle shaft and a wheel assembly for transmitting driving torque therebetween. The wheel end assembly further includes a fixed U-shaped yoke with a central pass-through for the constant velocity joint. The yoke has an upper and a lower ball joint arm, each having a passage for ball joints. A knuckle for transferring steering rotation to the wheel assembly includes a central opening for the constant velocity joint and upper and lower ball joint pockets to receive part of the ball joints. The ball joints allow the knuckle to swivel relative to the yoke. The knuckle does not extend laterally beyond the lateral space defined by the yoke and yoke ball joint arms. This minimizes the lateral packaging space required to accommodate four wheel steer capability. The knuckle is then mounted to the wheel assembly via an adapter. A steering assembly initiates wheel turning via a tie rod pivotally connected to a steering arm of the knuckle. A parking brake assembly may be supported on the adapter between the knuckle and wheel assembly.
The present invention will aid in managing vehicle wheel track width, and thereby the overall vehicle mass. In addition, it will facilitate reaching the target of a vehicle width less than
80
inches.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4482025 (1984-11-01), Ehrlinger et al.
patent: 4708363 (1987-11-01), Hata
patent: 4722540 (1988-02-01), Kozyra et al.
patent: 5435590 (1995-07-01), Larrson
patent: 5513874 (1996-05-01), Mori
patent: 5911425 (1999-06-01), Hofmann et al.
patent: 5941335 (1999-08-01), Krisher
patent: 6079512 (2000-06-01), Krisher

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